Liposuction — SmartLipo & Lipo360

The clinic offers laser-assisted SmartLipo performed under local anesthesia only, using a 1–2 mm incision and taking one to three hours. SmartLipo's laser energy liquefies fat while stimulating collagen and elastin production for concurrent skin tightening. Recovery is rapid — patients typically return to normal activity within one to two days. Additional options include Lipo360 ultrasonic tumescent technique, ankle liposuction, neck microsuction, and double chin surgery.

Liposuction at San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center centres on SmartLipo, an FDA-approved laser liposuction system that offers significant advantages over conventional tumescent liposuction for many Bay Area patients. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia only — eliminating the additional risks and extended recovery associated with general anesthesia — through incisions of just 1 to 2 millimetres. During a session lasting one to three hours, a thin laser fibre is inserted beneath the skin to deliver precise energy that liquefies fat cells for gentle removal while simultaneously heating the deep dermis to stimulate collagen and elastin remodelling. This dual mechanism produces measurable skin tightening alongside fat reduction, making SmartLipo particularly well-suited for areas prone to skin laxity such as the inner arms, inner thighs, and lower abdomen. Recovery is dramatically shorter than with traditional liposuction: patients typically return to normal daily activity within one to two days, with residual swelling resolving within approximately one week. Final contouring results appear as the tissue fully remodels over three to six months. Beyond SmartLipo, the clinic offers Lipo360 using ultrasonic tumescent liposuction for comprehensive circumferential contouring of the torso, targeting the abdomen, flanks, back, and waist in a single surgical session. Ankle liposuction addresses disproportionate ankle circumference that is resistant to diet and exercise. Neck microsuction refines submental and jowl definition with minimal incisions. Double chin surgery may combine submental liposuction with skin excision for patients with significant skin redundancy. Dr. Rajagopal's UCSF plastic surgery fellowship and her experience treating over 40,000 patients provide San Francisco and Bay Area patients with expert guidance on the most appropriate liposuction approach for their anatomy and aesthetic goals.